When I’m craving a cocktail that’s both rich and a little bit refreshing, I end up mixing a martini that brings together smooth vodka, sweet chocolate, and that unmistakable pop of orange. Tito’s Chocolate Orange Martini is honestly one of those drinks that feels a little special, but doesn’t ask for much effort.
It’s perfect for a quiet night in—or, you know, if you want to casually impress someone. I really enjoy how it plays with familiar flavors in a way that still feels sort of new.
Chocolate brings in this creamy sweetness, but the orange keeps things from getting too heavy or cloying. Just a couple of steps, and you’ve got a martini that looks like you ordered it from a fancy bar.
You can totally tweak this recipe, too. Maybe you want it a bit sweeter, or you want to go wild with a garnish, or maybe you just want to keep it super classic.
Tito’s Chocolate Orange Martini Cocktail Recipe
There’s something about the way this martini balances the chocolate richness with that little zing of citrus. It’s smooth, it’s balanced, and honestly, it just looks great in a chilled glass.
Equipment
I don’t go overboard with equipment, but having the right stuff really helps. You’ll want a cocktail shaker—it’s the easiest way to get everything cold and mixed up right.
A jigger is handy so you don’t end up with a lopsided drink. Once you’re done shaking, you’ll need a strainer so you’re not sipping ice shards.
And yeah, a chilled martini glass just feels right and keeps the drink colder. If you like stirring, a bar spoon is nice, but I usually skip it.
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger
- Strainer
- Chilled martini glass
- Bar spoon (optional for stirring)
- Ice cubes
Ingredients
I’m a fan of Tito’s Handmade Vodka because it’s clean and doesn’t fight with the chocolate or the orange. The creme de cacao and chocolate liqueur make things sweet and deep, and the Irish cream is what makes it so creamy.
Fresh juice really does make a difference. I grab orange juice for that citrus punch and just a splash of lemon juice to keep things bright.
- 2 oz Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- 1 oz creme de cacao
- 1 oz chocolate liqueur
- 0.5 oz Irish cream
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
Instructions
First thing, I always chill my martini glass with some ice water while I’m getting everything else ready. Then, I toss all the ingredients into the shaker with a bunch of ice.
Shake it hard—like, a good 15 seconds—so it gets nice and cold. After that, just strain it into your chilled glass.
If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll add an orange peel twist or dust a little cocoa powder on top. Sometimes I skip it, though.
- Chill martini glass with ice water
- Add vodka, creme de cacao, chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, orange juice, and lemon juice to shaker
- Fill shaker with ice and shake for 15 seconds
- Strain into chilled martini glass
- Garnish with orange peel or cocoa powder (optional)
Notes
Fresh citrus really is key here. Bottled juice just makes the drink taste kind of flat—trust me on that.
If I’m in the mood for something sweeter, I’ll splash in a bit more chocolate liqueur, but I always keep the lemon juice so it doesn’t get too heavy or syrupy. Using a chilled martini glass actually helps keep the cocktail cold, so I try not to skip that step.
If I forget, I’ll just toss the glass in the freezer for a few minutes. Works in a pinch.
Equipment
- Chilled martini glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tito’s Handmade Vodka
- 1 oz creme de cacao
- 1 oz chocolate liqueur
- 0.5 oz Irish cream
- 1 oz fresh orange juice
- 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Chill martini glass with ice water.
- Add vodka, creme de cacao, chocolate liqueur, Irish cream, orange juice, and lemon juice to a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 15 seconds until cold.
- Strain into chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with orange peel or a dusting of cocoa powder if desired.
Notes
Tasting Notes
So, first sip—right away, I get this smooth blend of chocolate and citrus. It’s sweet, but not in that cloying way; the orange just kind of lifts everything up.
The body is creamy, honestly kind of reminds me of an espresso martini with that rich, full vibe. Only here, it’s the cocoa that takes center stage, and it’s almost like drinking dessert.
There’s also this bright note from the orange. It’s got a hint of that fruity thing you get in a French martini, you know? Keeps it from getting too heavy and makes it really easy to just sip and relax.
The finish hangs around, gentle sweetness and a little bit of chocolate bitterness. Compared to your classic martini drink, this one’s softer, a bit more playful, but it still has that smooth, polished thing going on.

